The IAM is using Valentine’s Day to encourage drivers and passengers to belt up – and to challenge their loved ones if they fail to wear a seat belt.
According to the IAM, 19% of people admit to not wearing a seat belt when travelling in the back seat, while 9% of drivers admit to not wearing a belt.
Drivers and passengers aged 17-34 have the lowest seat belt wearing rates combined with the highest accident rate: 26% of drivers with between three and six years driving experience admit to not using a seat belt.
Neil Greig, IAM director of policy, said: “Everyone should look after their loved ones, especially on Valentine’s Day. Research shows that one in five occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. That’s more than 300 preventable deaths a year.
“That’s why we are asking drivers and passengers to make sure everyone is buckled up this Valentine’s Day, especially the young men. There’s no greater passion killer than a car crash. Belt up in the front and the back.”
For more information contact the IAM press office on 020 8996 9777.
“300” seems a bit optimistic but seat belts do save lives (not much surprise there). But it may be worthwhile to review the evidence again.
Looking at 1983, I calculated that “This works out to 9 lives pa saved for every 1% that wear their seat belts, or 900 lives pa saved if 100% wear seat belts, or 500 lives pa saved due to the increase in seat belt wearing as a result of the law”.
Deaths are now around 1/2 of what they were then so those numbers could perhaps also be halved so the 90% or so of people that do wear their belts result in between 400 and 500 lives saved these days.
http://speedcamerareport.co.uk/05_gb_road_safety.htm
See note 7 right at the end, along with figure 7 and figure 8.
Dave Finney – Slough
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